Topic: Footprints in the Dust: The Epic Voyages of Apollo, 1969-1975 (Outward Odyssey)

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 04-28-2008 08:18 PM
As editor, it is my primary task to seek out authors for the Outward Odyssey series of books detailing the social history of space exploration, and so, after consultation with the University of Nebraska Press (UNP), I am pleased to announce that they have accepted in principle my plan for "Footprints in the Dust: The Epic Story of Apollo" to be written by not one or two, but in fact several authors, and I am now looking for suitable potential authors - preferably those with previous experience in published writing, but obviously with a deep interest in space exploration - to offer their services.

"Footprints in the Dust" tells the story of Project Apollo, from the landing of Armstrong and Aldrin on the Sea of Tranquility through to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission. Although fully intended as a stand-alone book, it will take up the story where the book "In the Shadow of the Moon" (French and Burgess) has its ending. Any prospective author would therefore not only need to be familiar with this book, but with the social mandate of the Outward Odyssey series.

Some of the chapters have already been recently completed, while others have had some preliminary work done on them, and a couple of authors have already been willingly assigned to other chapters. The chapters for which I am now seeking authors are those which tell the stories of Apollo 11, Apollo 12, the abandoned Soviet lunar landing program, Apollo 14, and Apollo 17. There would be constraints applicable to each chapter - they must be no more than 40 double-spaced A4 pages in Times New Roman 12-point or similar, or around 11,000 words. Photographic illustrations would be discussed at a later time.

I am not seeking a straight narration of each Apollo mission. In keeping with the social or human side of this story I would be looking for interesting ways of approaching each of these five chapters. Think Tom Hanks' magnificent "From the Earth to the Moon" and that is the kind of different approach that is being sought. Where possible, personal reflections from the participants should be used, and this is not necessarily restricted to just the crewmembers, even though they are the focal point of each story.

Because so many authors will be involved, no separate contracts will be issued. Instead, all proceeds - and I do mean all - from this particular series book will be directed under contract to an administrator from a well-known and worthy space-related cause (details to be announced upon their acceptance) to assist in their wonderful work. Each author will be recognised in the book and will be asked to prepare a short autobiography, and each author will receive two complimentary copies of the book upon publication. It will be my task to ensure that there is a seamless and logical transition from one chapter to the next, so some light editing of the authors' work may be necessary, but will be subject to their approval.

Because authors have yet to be assigned to the nominated chapters, the publishers obviously cannot yet offer a 100 percent assurance that the book will become part of their Outward Odyssey series, but they are excited about this innovative concept and the editorial board has given its unanimous approval, expressing an opinion that it will fall nicely into the social history emphasis expected of such an important volume in the space book series.

If you are seriously interested in participating in "Footprints in the Dust," I would ask you to please contact me at the e-mail address listed in my profile information above. You should include a brief summary of your writing experience, why you would wish to tackle any of the chapters listed above, and possibly any thoughts you might have on the composition of that particular chapter. Obviously I cannot guarantee any person a chapter in this book simply by asking; I would need to know that you can produce a work which not only complies with the philosophy of the Outward Odyssey series, but one that is fresh, innovative and involving.

I do expect to receive a lot of applications and requests for further information, so please bear with me. Could you also please place the words Outward Odyssey in the e-mail subject line so that it does not fall foul of my spam filter?

As to when the book will actually be published, I cannot say at this time. The University of Nebraska Press tends to publish the books in the order in which the manuscripts are received, and I would envisage this book would be fully completed in manuscript form around this time next year. Once it has formally been accepted for publication it may be a further year before release, but this is something to be determined by the Press.

I might also add that an Apollo astronaut who flew to the moon has already pledged a foreword on condition of first reading and approving the complete draft manuscript.

I await your submissions with great interest.

GoesTo11Member

Posts: 1194From: Denver, CO USARegistered: Jun 2004

posted 04-29-2008 05:15 PM
Sounds terrific... Based on the series so far, I know it will be nothing but quality.

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 04-29-2008 05:41 PM
To paraphrase Wally Schirra, keep those e-mail messages and submissions coming in, folks. I'm delighted to say that after reviewing one application from a collectSPACE regular, the Apollo 12 chapter has now been allocated and is no longer available.

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 04-30-2008 09:26 PM
In case anyone out there is undecided and wondering if they should contact me about any particular chapter for this Apollo book, I can tell you that to this time no one has enquired about writing the remaining chapters on Apollo 11, 14 and 17, or the chapter on the ill-fated Soviet L-3 program. Please don't feel that you have to be a prolific or well-known writer on spaceflight topics; one of the ideas behind this series is to inspire, recognise, and act as a spur to a whole new generation of spaceflight authors.

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 05-01-2008 08:08 AM
The Apollo 11 chapter has now been spoken for, and an excellent submission accepted. Just three chapters left now, folks!

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 05-02-2008 07:50 PM
I'm delighted to say that the Apollo 17 chapter has now been taken by a most suitable cS regular.

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 05-03-2008 08:14 PM
Offering the chance to write a chapter for this book to such an eclectic group of spaceflight enthusiasts was something akin to offering a group of kids a free shot at a candy store. I knew that collectSPACE and the people who populate this marvelous forum would not let me down in my quest for authors for this book on the Apollo program, and that's proved to be the case.

All chapters are now spoken for by a truly international group of talented and enthusiast followers of spaceflight history, with the last chapter being secured and assigned just last night.

So now all the hard work for some begins...

Thanks Robert; thanks collectSPACE, and thanks to everyone who expressed an interest in participating. I'm very grateful to you all, and I know this will be a superb and very unique volume in the Outward Odyssey series.

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 09-19-2008 07:03 PM
I am delighted to announce that the editorial board has formally approved the publication of another volume in the Outward Odyssey series. This book will be called "Footprints in the Dust: The Epic Voyages of Apollo, 1969-1975" and it basically picks up the story from the previously-published "In the Shadow of the Moon."

The unique facet of this particular book is that each chapter (relating to a particular Apollo mission) is with a single exception being written by a collectSPACE member with previous writing experience, and each will bring to the project their own enthusiasm and literary experience in relating the story of the Apollo programme. Sometime in the not-too-distant future I hope to be revealing the names of all the authors on collectSPACE.

Because of the number of authors involved, we have all reached an exciting agreement that all proceeds from this book (and I mean ALL) will be allocated to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, and this agreement is currently being formally organised between the ASF and the University of Nebraska Press.

In a way, I can see this book being a little like Tom Hanks' "From the Earth to the Moon" as each chapter will have a uniquely different approach to the overall story, and of course the concurrent Soviet thrust to get to the moon will also feature.

More to come soon.

medarisMember

Posts: 181From: United KingdomRegistered: Mar 2007

posted 09-19-2008 07:11 PM
Sounds great, Colin. The other volumes have been excellent. This should be a splendid addition to the previous books.

alanh_7Member

Posts: 1102From: Ajax, Ontario, CanadaRegistered: Apr 2008

posted 09-22-2008 11:19 AM
I look forward to this one. The first two books of this series were excellent.

MCroft04Member

Posts: 1339From: Smithfield, Me, USARegistered: Mar 2005

posted 09-25-2008 09:11 PM
Actually the first three books were outstanding!

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 09-28-2008 11:47 PM
I'm delighted to be able to finally announce the participants in the Outward Odyssey series book, "Footprints in the Dust," most of whom are collectSPACE regulars. They are:

Rick Houston, a full-time journalist from North Carolina, whose (other) passion is observing and writing on the NASCAR scene.

Dominic Phelan, a freelance writer based in Dublin, Ireland, and a regular presenter of spaceflight lectures at the BIS in London.

John Youskauskas from Baltimore, Maryland, who normally writes on technical aspects of flight operations and safety, but who has a great passion for the history of space exploration.

Stephen Cass; Irish-born, now New York-based, and a senior editor at Discover magazine who has written extensively on space technology and history.

Philip Baker from Hampshire, England, who has written several articles on space exploration, and whose book on the history of space stations was published just last year.

Geoffrey Bowman from Belfast, Northern Ireland, with a family history of aviation personalities. He has written several articles for magazines and newspapers based on interviews with astronauts.

Simon Vaughan from Toronto, Canada. A long-time space enthusiast who has written extensively on the subject, including a popular co-authored guide to astronaut autopens.

Mel Croft from Houston, Texas, a regular correspondent on collectSPACE with a background in geology, who is turning his expertise in the subject to writing about the final Apollo lunar mission.

And last, but certainly not least, Robert Pearlman, our praiseworthy host at collectSPACE, who brings a wealth of knowledge and writing experience to this project.

I will also be participating in this book, both as an author and as the book's editor.

As mentioned before, all of these fine gentlemen have agreed to join me in donating all proceeds from this publication to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.

BlackarrowMember

Posts: 2301From: Belfast, United KingdomRegistered: Feb 2002

posted 10-01-2008 07:44 PM
In the words of the late, great Paul Newman (as Butch Cassidy): "Who are those guys?"

By the way, Mr Bowman has asked me to point out that it is a little misleading to refer to a "family history of aviation personalities." The three Bowman brothers who signed up for war duties with the RAF were very important to their family, but were just three among thousands who did what had to be done.

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 10-02-2008 01:56 AM
Or even more to the point Geoffrey's father and two uncles. We certainly honour them, and the other thousands who flew for freedom.

cspgMember

Posts: 4870From: Geneva, SwitzerlandRegistered: May 2006

posted 07-04-2009 12:42 AM
Courtesy of Colin Burgess, here are more details regarding "Footprints in the Dust: The Epic Voyages of Apollo, 1969-1975".

Edited by Colin Burgess

Approx 500 pages, including Index

Outward Odyssey series, University of Nebraska Press

For release: Spring 2010

Expected rrp: $34.95 (US)

This book essentially begins where the earlier series volume "In the Shadow of the Moon" (French and Burgess) left off, with Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon in July 1969. It then takes the reader on a breathtaking ride through the Apollo program, culminating in the cooperative ASTP mission in 1975.

Each chapter has been written by a different author to give the narrative a continually refreshing and personal approach to mission stories that are otherwise so well documented and known to us all. With just one exception, all of the authors are regular contributors to collectSPACE, namely:

Geoffrey Bowman

Colin Burgess

Stephen Cass

Mel Croft

Rick Houston

Robert Pearlman

Dominic Phelan

Simon Vaughan

John Youskauskas

and the late Phil Baker

In a similar approach to the way in which Tom Hanks set about telling the story of Apollo in his magnificent HBO mini-series "From the Earth to the Moon", in which he used a different director/producer for each episode, so each of this book's authors presents the sagas of the American and Soviet flights covered in this extraordinary period from a different and quite unique aspect. Through dozens of personal interviews, correspondence and conversations, many new facts and fresh anecdotes have come to light.

An extensive foreword has been written by Gemini 11 and Apollo 12 astronaut Dick Gordon.

By common consent of the editor and authors all proceeds from this book, without exception, have been formally allocated by agreement with the publisher to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. It means that every book purchased through the publisher or elsewhere will go to supporting this very worthwhile scholarship program.

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 07-27-2009 12:47 AM
Progress report on this sixth book in the "Outward Odyssey" series: the manuscript has now gone to the copyeditor and will be returned to me on 1 September. I will then check the copyediting and respond to any queries, after which the marked-up text goes back to the copyeditor. At this stage, everything is on schedule for a release next spring.

The next series book due for release (the fifth in the series) is Jay Gallentine's "Ambassadors From Earth" which will be delivered to the University of Nebraska Press's warehouse in a couple of months, prior to its general release.

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 09-01-2009 08:19 AM
Further progress; I have just about wrapped up going through the copyedited text and this will all be sent back within a couple of days. Page proofs will be next, and then the book will be out in the spring. The cover photo is one of Charlie Duke walking towards Plum Crater - very effective in regard to the book's title, as it shows footsteps trailing behind him, and his boots are kicking up a little lunar dust.

Hopefully it might soon appear on Amazon. I'm sure Chris (cspg) will let us know when that happens!

posted 09-03-2009 07:40 AM
Thanks Chris - right on the ball as always.

cspgMember

Posts: 4870From: Geneva, SwitzerlandRegistered: May 2006

posted 09-03-2009 09:08 AM
Not yet on Amazon, though!

ChrisCalleMember

Posts: 91From: Ridgefield, CT USARegistered: Jan 2009

posted 09-03-2009 12:42 PM
Colin, it is probably too late in the process now but let me know if you would like to use any of my father, Paul Calle's artwork in the book.

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 09-04-2009 05:55 PM
Chris, that is an incredibly kind offer, especially as I have the utmost admiration for your father's magnificent work. Let me check with the Nebraska Press people as I've only just sent back the copyedited text and things may not yet have reached the stage where it is too late to add in some artwork. I should have an answer Monday and I'll let you know straight away either way.

May I also say what a pleasure it was to meet you and your father at Spacefest back in February, and I can't say how honoured I am that you have made this unexpected suggestion. I hope we can work something out.

Best regards to you and Paul.

cspgMember

Posts: 4870From: Geneva, SwitzerlandRegistered: May 2006

posted 09-05-2009 12:22 AM

quote:Originally posted by ColinBurgess:I should have an answer Monday...

Isn't Monday BBQ Day (or also known as Labor Day)? On a more "funny" note, knowing that JPL was threatened by wild fires, their press release is rather strange: "Saturn Moon Could Power 150 Billion Labor Day Barbecues."

FFrenchMember

Posts: 3114From: San DiegoRegistered: Feb 2002

posted 09-05-2009 02:02 PM

quote:Originally posted by ColinBurgess:The cover photo is one of Charlie Duke walking towards Plum Crater - very effective in regard to the book's title, as it shows footsteps trailing behind him, and his boots are kicking up a little lunar dust.

Here is Charlie in San Diego with a printout of the draft cover.

BMacKinnonMember

Posts: 174From: Waterford, MI. USARegistered: Jul 2007

posted 09-08-2009 04:45 PM
I can't wait to read what promises to be another outstanding addition to the series. I have had the honor to have all of my books in the series signed by the authors so far. But I wonder how hard it will be to get this installment signed by all of the participating authors? Either sending the book by mail all over or maybe a few organized signings in support of the ASF?

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 09-08-2009 05:09 PM
Two replies in one:

Chris - following the Labor Day break the Chief Editor at the Nebraska Press is currently discussing your wonderful offer with the art and design department to see if something can still be organised at this late stage, and I should have an answer very soon.

Brad - there are plans in the pipeline for a limited number of bookplates signed by all of the authors (and a dedication to the late Phil Baker, who wrote the chapter on Apollo 14) to become available and placed inside a number of books through some retail outlet, possibly through this website, but this has yet to be finalised.

As all of the proceeds of this book - and I mean every cent - is going to the ASF, which Dick Gordon heartily supports, one of the group is going to ask if he would consider countersigning these bookplates as the contributor of the foreword. An announcement will be forthcoming.

posted 01-08-2010 08:26 PM
I'm pleased to announce that the official release date for "Footprints in the Dust: The Epic Voyages of Apollo, 1969-1975" - the sixth book in the Outward Odyssey series - will be 1 June 2010. However the book will be arriving in the University of Nebraska Press's warehouse two months earlier, and pre-orders will ship out sometime after that date.

There is a special offer from the publishers for collectSPACE readers. The rrp for the book is $34.95, but if you pre-order and quote the discount code 6AS10, you will receive a 20% discount, bringing it down to $27.96.

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 03-27-2010 08:59 PM
I'm delighted to announce that the first edition printing of "Footprints in the Dust" has now arrived in the University of Nebraska Press's warehouse, and the authors have already begun receiving their complimentary copies. This means that copies will now be shipping out to Amazon and elsewhere, so those who pre-ordered there (or through UNP) will be receiving their copies sometime soon.

This book marks the halfway point in the Outward Odyssey series; six more to come, folks!

GoesTo11Member

Posts: 1194From: Denver, CO USARegistered: Jun 2004

posted 03-27-2010 10:30 PM
Colin, that's great to hear. Many thanks to you for shepherding this series...I really believe that it will be a truly significant and lasting contribution to the written history of human achievement.

gliderpilotukMember

Posts: 3275From: London, UKRegistered: Feb 2002

posted 03-28-2010 06:25 AM
Looking forward to this one, Colin.

Lasv3Member

Posts: 285From: Bratislava, SlovakiaRegistered: Apr 2009

posted 04-04-2010 12:34 PM
Just got an e-mail from Amazon saying they ship sometime between April 12-18.

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 04-04-2010 06:08 PM
Many thanks for that information, Lauro, and I hope you enjoy seeing your words and photo in the book when it arrives. Your help was much appreciated.

Lasv3Member

Posts: 285From: Bratislava, SlovakiaRegistered: Apr 2009

posted 04-05-2010 12:24 AM
Thanks for the nice words Colin, it's been a privilege to contribute with my memories, and I am looking forward to read this book very very much.

I'd like to thank to Rick Houston here, to cooperate with him was a real pleasure, I had a great time.

I look forward to the next books of this tremendous set, the topics promise great stories.

cspgMember

Posts: 4870From: Geneva, SwitzerlandRegistered: May 2006

posted 04-08-2010 12:00 AM
My copy is in the mail- shipped 4/7.

Lasv3Member

Posts: 285From: Bratislava, SlovakiaRegistered: Apr 2009

posted 04-08-2010 01:44 AM
Mine is on the way as well - as of today - even a week earlier than announced a few days ago...

garymilgromMember

Posts: 1826From: Atlanta, GA, USARegistered: Feb 2007

posted 04-08-2010 08:18 AM
Mine arrived yesterday - I can't wait to dig into it. Also, thanks to Colin and the producers for keeping the spine graphics consistent - this series looks great on my bookshelf.

Are these books available in Kindle or iBook versions? I would purchase these as well. Thanks.

bruceMember

Posts: 863From: Fort Mill, SC, USARegistered: Aug 2000

posted 04-08-2010 07:36 PM
Just got my copy today! I suppose I'll be lugging an extra rolling bag with Colin Burgess books to the ASF this November for Colin to sign. It's either that or take them to Australia for him to sign. Hmmmm ... (!)

ColinBurgessMember

Posts: 1706From: Sydney, AustraliaRegistered: Sep 2003

posted 04-09-2010 01:19 AM
Bruce, just confirming that unless something unforeseen comes up I will be at the ASF convention at KSC in November, however it will be the Saturday only, as my wife and I have a ship to catch on the Sunday from Ft. Lauderdale.

Francis French will very likely be there as well, and we won't even charge a completion fee to sign our books!

Seriously, we will both be very happy to sign any books for anyone for the price of a handshake.